Cats in the study were more willing to approach a person who slow blinked compared to a person who kept a neutral face. Slow blinking in cats appears to be associated with positive emotions, although more research into the behavior is needed, according to the study. The new results are published in Nature.
According to a new study, you can bond with your feline by just narrowing your eyes and blinking slowly. Two experiments were carried out to investigate the role of the slow blink in cat-human communication. Cats are stereotyped as being more aloof and independent than other pets.
According to Science Alert, people may have finally learned how to “smile” at house cats. “By observing cat-human interactions, scientists were able to confirm that [narrowing your eyes and blinking slowly] makes cats—both familiar and strange—approach and be receptive to humans,” the article said.
The bottom line: While a slow blink does not always mean your cat wants physical contact with you, it is a way of signaling to you, to another person or to another cat that everything is A-OK and she is comfortable being around you!
Cats blink at each other, as well as at the humans they trust, with a slow eye blink "cat kiss." Kitties that use this non-threat signal are able to smooth their interactions with other cats. The "slow blink" was identified by cat behaviorist, Anitra Frazier, author of The Natural Cat.
Some cats do seem to like or at least tolerate human kisses. If your cat leans in, purrs, and rubs his head on you when you kiss him, he probably understands that you're trying to show him affection.
The slow blink and wink is thought to be a cat's way of smiling at you or showing their love. Cat's slow blink and wink to show that they're happy and also that they trust you. However, if your cat is staring at you without blinking, it's a sign that they may need some space.
Purring: When cats are deeply relaxed and content they tend to purr to self soothe. But when a cat rubs against you and purrs it is synonymous with saying “I love you.” Slow Blinks: When cats close their eyes in the presence of another animal or human it is a sign of trust, which is a fundamental aspect of love.
If you think your cat is upset with you, give them some space to calm down and give it some time. The best thing you can do is back off and show them that you recognize that you've hurt them and that you're going to stop doing what you were doing. Thanks!
Turns out, it depends on the cat. Some cats are socialized as kittens to be held and kissed, while others haven't had that exposure and might be put off by a kiss as an expression of love. So, some cats like it and some cats don't—but there are ways of detecting the category into which your feline friend falls.
Direct eye contact
Cats can find direct eye contact quite threatening. They wouldn't look another cat straight in the face unless they were fixing for a fight. When your cat's relaxed, they might look at you with a peaceful gaze or half closed eyes. A “slow blink” is your cat's way of saying they love you.
You've Hit the Spot
Although elevator butt may seem rather insulting to us, it's actually the cat's very positive response to the fact that you've hit just the right spot when petting her. Typically, that spot is at the base of her tail.
Cats only make eye contact with people they like and are even known to make 'eye kisses'! This is when a cat will stare with half closed eyelids and slowly blink, repeatedly. It's a gesture that can be reciprocated, so if you notice your cat giving you a 'kiss', why not give them one in return?
The head bump. It's their way of saying hello, by using the oil glands in front of their ears to greet you as if you're a cat and leave their scent on you. They see you as one of their clan, so bump them right back.
Cats can also discriminate between familiar and unfamiliar humans, recognise human faces and voices, and make the mental match between the two.
Staring at humans while they sleep is a common cat behavior, albeit a puzzling (and sometimes annoying) one. As it turns out, cats stare at people a lot, not just while they're sleeping. Cats often stare at you while you're awake for the same reasons they stare at you while you're peacefully sleeping.
Your cat may rub against you (possibly in quite a 'frantic' or exaggerated way). Your cat may follow you around and weave in and around your legs while being very responsive to your movements. Your cat may climb up or jump onto you or raise up their front legs to place their paws on you.
What does it mean? "Your cat is most likely staring at you while crying because they're trying to make sense of what they see and hear," McGowan says. Your cat might not understand human crying, but she'll gather as many clues as she can and use them to adjust her behavior.
In addition to being petted, do cats like to be held? Sometimes. Most cats love to snuggle, and they're typically responsive to being held if you introduce them to it gradually. The best way to approach your cat for a hug is to start with a few soft pets, then carefully pick them up.
No, your cat doesn't actually think you're the mama cat that birthed it. But cats show us a level of affection and respect that is very similar to the way they treat their mama cat. And this sweet fact flies in the face of anyone who thinks cats' “aloof” personality means they don't care about us.
Yes! Cats do love their humans, even if sometimes they have a funny way of showing it. In fact, they form strong attachments to their owners and display their emotions very similar to humans. Just like people, cats can show their love through understanding and concern for others.
Let your cat decide when they're ready to bond. Some cats are ready to get to know you immediately while other kitties may take several weeks to initiate any kind of interaction.
Cats release friendly pheromones from glands in their cheeks and chin, so when your favorite feline is rubbing its face on you, it usually means they are marking you as a friend. “It's an affectionate gesture that can also be used as a form of greeting,” Dr. Jill E.